Bombardier: C Series set for 1H2016 EIS, CS300 to follow six months later

Bombardier provided (30-Jul-2015) a development update for the C Series aircraft programme:

• Type certification for the CS100 aircraft is targeted for completion by the end of 2015. CS300 type certification is expected to follow approximately six months afterwards;
• SC100 entry into service is expected to occur in 1H2016 with Swiss International Air Lines as the first operator;
• Flight testing activities on five CS100 FTVs are ongoing with all systems performing well. Assembly of the second CS300 FTV is ongoing and is expected to come off the production line later in 2015;
• More than 2000 flight-test hours have been accumulated on the CS100 aircraft and, overall, more than 75% of the CS100 certification programme is complete. All aircraft structural testing required for EIS has been completed;
• Ground testing is progressing to plan and the on-the-ground, flight and aircraft structural test performance results are exceeding original targets for fuel burn, payload, range and airfield performance;
• Test aircraft are delivering more than a 20% fuel burn advantage compared to in-production aircraft and greater than 10% advantage compared to re-engined aircraft. The maximum range of the aircraft has been confirmed to be up to 3300nm, 350nm more than originally targeted. The aircraft will also carry up to 15 more passengers than initially promised;
• Aircraft development programme is on track to meeting noise performance and other key performance targets. [more - original PR]